INDEPENDENT REVIEWER

I'm an Independent Book Reviewer and would be happy to review your book(s).

MY REVIEWS

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I REVIEW BOOKS

DISCLAIMER

Read my book reviews at your own risk. I have been told that because I am respected by those who read my reviews that I am dangerous to their spiritual well being. Please read my reviews knowing that I am not recommending anything more than what is in my review. If you decide to become a fan of the author, his or her lifestyle, worldview and other things they may write, then please know that is your responsibility and not mine. I love to read and read widely. I have an opinion about what I read and share it on these pages. I do not expect you to appreciate what I write or hold me responsible for anything beyond my words. Let's read and think together with joy. Clif

FOLLOWERS

ABOUT MY BLOG

My blog is a lot of rambling on about what is on my mind. I may write about God or goulash, the Bible or baloney. I try to write more about God and the Bible than I do about goulash and baloney ― it depends on my mood. Hopefully you catch me on a God and Bible day.

MY STRONG OPINIONS

• Jesus is the only way.

• Be truthful.

• “Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn.”

• Accept truth wherever you find it.

• Read! Reading is a basic tool in the leading of a good life.

MY FAVORITE WOMAN

I first met Charlotte in 1948 when she was 11 and I was 13 years old. We married ten years later.

CHARLOTTE'S BLOGS

We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 2008. Our children helped us celebrate with an all expense paid all arranged vacation In Hawaii.

I LOVE ARIZONA

There was a time when I thought Arizona was just a hot desert filled with cacti, snakes and other varmints. Not anymore. Now Arizona “spells” home, beautiful skies, wonderful weather nine months of the year, warmth for old, tired bones, and as Greta Van Susteren would say, “Much, much more.” Opulent Oklahoma was my first home and I loved it. I went to college in Texas and I liked that state too. “Cool” California was my next home and I loved it a lot—and still do. But now, it’s ARIZONA all the way! Come visit our wonderful state every chance you get—but don’t settle down here or stay too long. Phoenix is now the fifth largest city in the U.S. and we are getting crowded. We need to preserve our beautiful desert!!

MY BOOK REVIEWS

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

LOVES GOD, LIKES GIRLSA MEMOIRBy Sally Gary

OVERVIEW: For many Christians who experience same-sex attraction, wrestling with these feelings in light of faith is a lonely and painful journey. Sally Gary's touching memoir is one woman's recollection of her own journey. Rather than providing cookie-cutter answers as to why someone experiences same-sex attraction and how to "make it go away," Loves God, Likes Girls gives one woman's perspective on the experiences over a lifetime that impacted the development of her sexuality, Her story emphasizes that those who experience same-sex attraction are longing for safe places to explore questions, to find community, and to grow deeper in relationship with God.AUTHOR: Sally Gary is the founder and director of CenterPeace, a nonprofit ministry providing safe places for conversation about same-sex attraction in families and churches. She holds a law degree from Texas Tech University. A former high school debate coach, trial lawyer, and college professor of communication, Sally speaks to churches and university groups around the country, presenting a Christ-centered perspective on homosexuality. She lives in Abilene, Texas.

MY REVIEW: The kind people at Leafwood Publishers are making it possible for me to give away two free copies of this splendid book. I wish I could give a copy to everyone interested in this important topic who wants to have a better understanding of all those who experience same-sex attraction.

I wanted to read and review this book to educate myself on this subject and better understand how to communicate with others about it. I learned more than I ever thought I would or could. I found this book interesting, very informative and a delight to read even in face of such a difficult and controversial subject. Sally Gary tells her story in such an interesting way that I found it hard to put the book down.

Many Christians will profit from reading this book but those from Churches of Christ will find it especially interesting. They will identify with so much of her life in the state of Texas, in the home and in the church. All readers, regardless of their world view will find this memoir a joy to read but they will also be touched deeply by his woman's struggles with a subject that very few want to talk about.

(I received this book for free from Leafwood Publishes for an honest review.)

The generous folks at Leafwood Publishers are allowing me to host this book giveaway for 2 (2) copies!

Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing addresses, please.

I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in your comment

I'll close the comments at 6 PM June 26. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s). If you're interested, just say so in a comment with that all-important email address in code. Example of email in code: you [at] your email [dot] com.

Thursday, June 06, 2013

CHANGE? I'm not against change. I just don't think everything needs to be changed.

Many things have changed from the time I was young and some things needed to change, but not all things.

When I was young we wore our pants up around our waist and a belt to keep them there. A change from that would be alright. But do we really need to wear them hanging off our butts?

I grew up holding a hymnal/song book and singing hymns in church. It was good. I think there was and is something beautiful about most---not all, hymns. The hymnals are gone today and so are the hymns. A change is alright but did we need to get rid all hymns and any songs that sounded like church?

Preachers always wore suits and ties when I was young---and not so young. Did that need to change? Maybe, but not so severely. Why do men still dress more formally for a funeral than preachers do who stand in the pulpit? Relaxed dress, less formal? Yes. But to stand in the pulpit preaching the Word of God looking like you're going fishing is a bit much for my taste. Yes, we should be trying to reach young people who are not so concerned with such things. But should we become just like them in order to win them? I don't think so. But if so, where do we draw the line?

In some places, gone is any out reach to the elderly. Gone is the family concept. That's smacks too much of religion. In is youth, cool, ugly, community. The plea is for SIMPLE. But is it simple? No!
It's complicated and confusing. What's cool today may not be tomorrow. You have to put forth effort to be "politically correct" in what you do and say. It's tiring. And in my mind, boring.

One young woman confided in me that she likes to honk real loud at elderly people in cross walks to see the look on their faces. And she also thinks they smell bad. It's probably because I'm old but that lack of respect makes me sad. There is so much that is beautiful about the elderly.

I'll never understand why we can't sing contemporary songs and hymns.

Why was stained glass once considered beautiful but not today?

It seems to me that Christ can be preached and held high and at the same time doctrine and all things religious can be respected without distracting from CHRIST and having to be "thrown out."

SIMPLE CHURCH is what you find in the first days of the church in Acts 2:43-47

43-45Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.

46-47They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

I DON'T KNOW ANY CHURCHS PLEADING FOR SIMPLE CHURCH THAT WANT TO DO THIS!!!